Not a chance," Fizza says. "Besides, Kelton gave me the money, so you don't get a choice in the matter."
And without another word, she starts off down the road, leaving you to catch up yet again.
As you approach the city, you begin to see where the county of Joju ends and the capital region of Jubai begins. Where everything is monotonous golden wheat fields out around Sir Kelton's estate, the capital is a mosaic of colors. Smoke and dust hover in clouds above tiles and straw thatching. Red brick, yellow sandstone, and vibrantly painted plaster make up the walls of houses and businesses, between which rivers and streams of people meander as they buy, sell, transport, and gaze. From the crest of the valley below, you can see into the vast walls of the city, but the capital also overflows its boundaries, its colorful life seeping out into the surrounding area. There are so many things to look at, but what really draws the eye is the Queen's castle in the center, its white glittering spires reaching into the sky above everything else.
You and Fizza can't help but smile at each other as you see it, and you both find yourselves practically running by the time you get to the gates. There, you split up and you make your way for The Inn.
The Inn has a name, a fairly fitting one, in fact—The Thirsty Squire—but you always call it "The Inn" because it's the only decent one in Jubai. When you get there, you notice something strange—one of the walls is covered in cloth, and below you think you glimpse sooty blackness. You want to ask the innkeeper what happened, but you resist the urge to go inside the large building and instead walk around back to the stables.
There, you find a stable boy. He has dirt smudged on his face, but he still looks like he takes care of himself. His dark brown hair is groomed, and he's tall and thin but solidly muscled. There's a warmth to him, like he's smiling at you even though he's just looking up curiously to see what you want.